c

Consular Protection

An EU citizen, travelling to or living in a non-EU country where his/her EU country is not represented by an embassy or consulate, has the EU right to enjoy the protection of the diplomatic and consular authorities of any EU country under the same conditions as the nationals of that country.

e

EU citizenship

The 1992 Maastricht Treaty established the concept of European citizenship. EU citizenship confers a range of rights, including freedom of movement and the right to vote and stand in local and European elections in every EU country.

Election

The process through which citizens elect representatives to democratic institutions. EU citizenship confers the right to participate and vote in elections for the European Parliament and local municipal elections, no matter which EU country the citizen resides in.

f

Free movement of persons

This is a fundamental right of EU citizenship, allowing citizens to travel, live and work freely throughout the EU. The Treaty of Amsterdam communitised the area, giving the Commission a greater role in proposing initiatives.